BGP Scout: A New Tool for Network Browsing

A new tool, BGP Scout, has been introduced to address a specific friction point in network data analysis. While raw BGP data is readily available, browsing networks over time—by when they appeared, where they operate, and what they look like at a glance—has proven surprisingly difficult.

The tool, accessible at bgpscout.io, was built to scratch that itch. It offers a streamlined interface for exploring network data that is already public but often scattered across different sources.

The tool focuses on making Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs) more accessible to researchers and network engineers. It provides several key features designed to simplify the exploration of network infrastructure.

Users can browse ASNs by registration date and geography, allowing for a historical and spatial view of network growth. This is particularly useful for tracking the emergence of new networks in specific regions.

Additionally, the tool visualizes where a given network appears to have a presence. It also consolidates commonly scattered public data about an ASN into a single, unified view.

Key capabilities include:

• Browse ASNs by registration date and geography
• View network presence maps
• Consolidate public ASN data in one place
• Save searches to track new networks matching criteria

The primary goal of BGP Scout is to make exploration faster and less painful. The creator noted that while obtaining raw data is straightforward, interpreting it requires significant effort.

When working with BGP data, I kept running into the same friction: it’s easy to get raw data, but surprisingly hard to browse networks over time — especially by when they appeared, where they operate, and what they actually look like at a glance.

The tool leverages publicly available data, meaning no proprietary information is being accessed. Instead, it acts as a specialized browser and aggregator for information that already exists but is difficult to navigate efficiently.

The project is currently in its early stages. The creator has stated that they have not invested heavily in expanding the tool's capabilities yet.

This initial release serves as a proof of concept to gauge interest and utility. The focus is on validating whether the tool solves a real-world problem before committing to further development.

By keeping the initial scope focused on core browsing and tracking features, the creator aims to ensure the tool remains lightweight and responsive.

The creator is actively soliciting input from the community to guide future development. The central question posed to potential users is whether the tool addresses a genuine need in their daily workflows.

Specifically, they are asking:

• Is this solving a real problem for you?
• What would make something like this actually useful in day-to-day work?

Feedback is being welcomed to determine which features should be prioritized and how the tool might evolve to better serve network professionals.

BGP Scout represents a focused attempt to improve the user experience of browsing public network data. By consolidating information and offering new filtering capabilities, it has the potential to become a valuable resource for those working with internet infrastructure.

Its future development will likely depend on the feedback received from the community. If the tool demonstrates clear utility, it may evolve into a more comprehensive platform for network analysis.